Department of Agriculture on Wednesday awarded certificate, cash and millet processing machine to Chingmei village, Tuensang district for harvesting more than 13 thousand tins of millet in the maximum millet production under village category.
SDAO Tuensang, Wongtochingmak informed that the prize was handed over at the one-day district level awareness programme cum celebration of international year of millet organized by Department of Agriculture, Tuensang held at Town Hall, Tuensang.
The event was held on the theme, “Harnessing millet for food security and sustainable agriculture”.
In the millet recipe competition, first prize was bagged by Chipensenyen SHG of Tuensang town, with Moutshou SHG of Chendang village and Khanyang Sao of Chingmelen village winning the second and third places respectively. Consolation prizes were also awarded to Millet Sisters of Chingmei village and Ophai Doyang SHG of Kejok village.
In the maximum millet production under individual category, Sejang of Chingmei village (57 tins) won the 1st prize followed by M Khumla of Chendang village (41 tins) and B Nokching of Waoshu village (32 tins) in the 2nd and 3rd positions.
Earlier, DC Tuensang, Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa inaugurated the exhibition stalls in the presence of village council members, SHG members and other dignitaries.
Quoting the example of “Millet queen of India” Lahiri Bai Rutsa who have preserved more than 150 varieties of millets in her home, the DC encouraged the gathering to preserve the millet grain and cultivate in those areas which were preferable.
She also applauded the officers and staffs of Department of Agriculture, Tuensang for their hard work towards the farmers of Tuensang district as well as conducting various awareness programmes.
Pointing out that millet was “rich man’s food” as it was not available in plenty, DC said Eastern Nagaland region were rich as the region have plenty of millet grain.
Delivering keynote address, T Supongmar Longchar, District Agriculture Officer, Tuensang said, “This is a revival for millet in Tuensang. A history in the making for Nagaland which starts from Tuensang.”
A power point presentation highlighting the millet cultivation in Tuensang was given by Mongkucholen, Agriculture Officer, Tuensang.
He displayed points on the benefits of millet production, cultivation practices of millet in Tuensang district, present status of millet cultivation where 10 villages in Tuensang and seven villages in Longkhim were practicing millet cultivation.
He also highlighted several activities that were taken by their department which included awareness programmes and seed distribution etc. Earlier, the programme was chaired by Wongtochingmak, SDAO Tuensang and vote of thanks was delivered by Akila Rothrong, SDAO Longkhim followed by farmers scientist interaction.